Free The Snake Flotilla: Broad coalition to rally on the lower Snake River in support of removing 4 deadbeat dams

Spokane, Wash. – On Saturday, Oct. 3, salmon advocates, tribal members, anglers, kayakers, outfitters, orca lovers and business owners will join forces to rally on the Snake River with a singular message: Free the Snake.

The rally brings together a broad coalition of interests in support of removing the four dams on the lower Snake River of Southeastern Washington and restoring endangered salmon, steelhead and orcas currently being harmed by the dams.

This summer, endangered Snake River salmon and steelhead died by the thousands due to hot water in the reservoirs behind these four dams, which have long outlived their value as their costs have increased dramatically. Less than 40 of Idaho’s iconic sockeye salmon survived to reach Redfish Lake. The four high-cost, low-value dams on the lower Snake River stand between salmon and their home rivers – and it’s time they came down. These aging dams are costing taxpayers millions of dollars to maintain, while their benefits to the Northwest are in steep decline.

The Oct. 3 rally comes as part of a sustained campaign to Free the Snake led by conservation and fishing groups, orca advocates, recreation businesses, and supported by Patagonia and other national organizations. In January, a petition containing more than 70,000 signatures asking the Obama administration to remove the four lower Snake River dams was delivered to the President.

Media coverage is encouraged. A map and more information are available here and details can be found below.

There’s better future we can create together by removing the four lower Snake River dams: restore 140 miles of river to bring salmon, steelhead, recreation opportunities, jobs and economic opportunity to the region; support further investments in more efficient rail to replace the declining, costly barge waterway; and build on the clean energy opportunities that can replace the modest amount of power generated by the dams. Restoring the Snake River will save taxpayer dollars, increase fishing jobs and critical food for endangered Puget Sound orcas.

It’s time to stand up and be heard, and tell our senators, state leadership and President Obama to remove these four dams.